As someone young, new to the faith, and reading every book I can get my hands on, this short read brought me back down to earth. Helmut Thielke is very pointed at times, and does not waste time with pleasantries. He lays it out for you, and leaves you to determine how you need to apply the information he shares. For someone young who considers himself educated, it quickly deflated me, but in the end I was encouraged. He does well, in showing the place of theology in our faith.

This little gem is the heartfelt advice a learned theologian gave to his students fifty years ago. It deserves to be read and re-read by any student of theology. In it, Thielicke elucidates the common blunders made by budding theologians--not in their studies, but in the application of their studies to their friendships, churches, and ministries.